12 dogs killed in Maine arson fire

LIMINGTON (AP) - A 28-year-old Limington, Maine, man has been charged with arson and animal cruelty for a fire that burned his own house and killed 12 dogs that were trapped inside.

Daniel Young, an investigator with the state fire marshal's office, said firefighters found smoldering fires at five locations in Kristopher Eastman's home on West Sand Pond Road when they responded to the Friday afternoon blaze.

Young told the Maine Sunday Telegram that the house sustained heavy smoke damage, and that the dogs died of smoke inhalation.

Young said Eastman lived alone at the house and told his grandparents what he had done before fleeing. Eastman was arrested Friday night at a gas station Saco.